Unit 1 Study Set Flashcards
Hypothesis or unproved assumption.
Theory
To remain alive or in existence.
Survive
The study of past societies through an analysis of the items people left behind.
Archaeology
The study of human life and culture based on artifacts and human fossils.
Anthropology
Humans and human-like creatures that walk upright.
Hominid
“Wise, wise humans”, a species that appeared in Africa between 150,000-200,000 years ago- first anatomically modern humans.
Homo sapiens sapiens
Also called the replacement theory, this theory refers to when Homo Sapiens Sapiens began spreading out of Africa to other parts of the world about 100,000 years ago and replacing hominids in Europe and Asia.
“Out of Africa” Theory
A sudden, radical, or complete change; and overthrow of a government.
Revolution
A socially expected behavior pattern.
Role
The keeping of animals and the growing of food on a regular basis.
Systematic agriculture.
A skilled worker who makes products such as weapons and jewelry.
Artisan
The way of life people follow.
Culture
A complex culture in which large numbers of people share a number of common elements such as social structure, religion, and art.
Civilization.
6 elements of civilization?
Writing, religion, social structure, art, cities, government.
A place where two rivers or streams become one.
Confluence
In early urban civilizations an important and powerful person who supervised rituals aimed at pleasing the gods and goddesses.
Priest
The moving of goods or people.
Transport
A new idea, method, or device.
Invention
A state with political and economic control over the surrounding countryside.
City-state
Believing in many gods.
Polytheistic
A massive stepped tower on which was built a temple dedicated to the chief god or goddess of that city.
Ziggurat
A government established by divine authority.
Theocracy
“Wedge-shaped” a system of writing developed by the Sumerians using a feed stylus to create wedge-shaped impressions on a clay tablet.
Cuneiform
Which inventions of the Sumerians still effect us today?
Wheel, bronze, sun dial, the arch.
What math developments did the Sumerians assist with?
Astrology, geometry, base 60 system, time keeping
Why was changing to farming beneficial?
Humans were able to start communities, and the specialization of skills.
Earliest discovered humans?
Australopithecus
What was the name of the Australopithecus discovered in northern Ethiopia?
Lucy
The time before writing was developed.
Prehistory
How is our prehistory studied?
Archeologists and Anthropologists use archeological and biological evidence.
Who uses artifacts (objects) for their research?
Archaeologists
What type of artifacts do archaeologists use?
Tools, weapons, art, buildings.
Who uses fossils for their research?
Anthropologists
What do anthropologists use?
Artifacts and human fossils.
How do researchers date their finds?
Radiocarbon dating
All living things absorb what?
Carbon or C-14
How long does C-14 work for?
Objects no more than 50,000 years old
How do scientists date objects 200,000 years old?
Thermoluminescence
What is thermoluminescence?
Measuring the light given off by electrons trapped in the solid surrounding fossils and artifacts.
Who discovered the Australopithecus?
Donald Johanson
What is Homo Habilis?
“Handy Human”, may have used stone tools.
When did Homo Habilis emerge?
2.5-1.6 million years ago
What is Homo Erectus?
“Upright Human”
When did Homo Erectus emerge?
1.5 million years ago.
What was the first hominid to leave Africa?
Homo Erectus
What is Homo Sapiens?
“Wise Humans”
When did Homo Sapiens emerge?
250,000 years ago
Who was the first hominid to master fire?
Homo Sapiens
When did Homo sapiens sapiens emerge?
200,000-150,000 years ago.
When did Homo Sapiens sapiens leave Africa?
100,000 years ago
When did Homo Sapiens Sapiens replace Neanderthals?
30,000 BC
What does Paleolithic Age mean?
Old Stone Age
What was the main job of people in the Paleolithic age?
To find food.
How did fire help early humans migrate?
Protected them from cold climates
What helped early humans migrate?
The Ice Age- land bridges between Europe, Asia, and North America
When was the Neolithic Revolution?
8000 BC, end of the ice age
What does Neolithic Age mean?
New Stone Age
What was the Neolithic Revolution?
Shift from hunting and gathering to systematic agriculture
What were the oldest and biggest villages in Southwest Asia?
Jericho and Çaralhüyük
Çatalhüyük had a food surplus. This led to:
Specialization of Labor
What affect did the Neolithic Revolution have on gender roles?
Men gained a more dominant role in society as they were in charge of food
What was the Bronze Age?
An age where bronze was widespread for tools
When was the Bronze Age?
300 BC-1200 BC
What was the Iron Age?
A period of time where iron was used for tools
When was the Iron Age?
1000 BC
What is the “land between rivers”?
The valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
Where was Mesopotamia?
Eastern end of the Fertile Crescent.
Why was Mesopotamia a good place for crops?
Enriched by silt, location of the rivers, good climate
How did the people of Mesopotamia deal with flooding, and what did this do for farming?
They built irrigation systems, and used the water for their crops, which led to a surplus in food
What were the three main areas of Mesopotamia?
Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer
Who created the first Mesopotamian civilization?
Sumerians
What independent cities did the Sumerians establish?
Eridu, Ur, Uruk
How many gods did Mesopotamia have?
3,000
Who did Sumerians believe owned cities?
The gods and goddesses
What were wheels invented for?
Transport
What were the three main social classes in Sumerian Cities?
Nobles, commoners, and slaves
What did the Sumerians use cuneiform for?
Keeping records, and to train scribes. They also wrote literature and epic stories
